The Raiders swept Union Pines in a varsity basketball doubleheader Tuesday in Richmond County.

The Viking girls let a 15-point third quarter lead slip away in losing 44-42.

The girls held a 31-22 advantage to start the final period of play, and still led 39-32 with 2:14 remaining in regulation. However, Richmond used a tough full-court defense to capitalize on several costly Vike turnovers down the stretch, finishing the tilt with a 12-2 run to pick up the non-conference win.

Richmond's Lashay Brown scored nine of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, as the Raiders improved to 4-0 on the year. She also had 11 rebounds and three blocks.

For Union Pines, the loss snapped a five-game winning streak, as the Vikes are now 5-2 entering Friday's Cape Fear Valley conference opener at Union Pines against Overhills.

Senior captain Alishia Mosley finished with 11 points, six points, four steals and four assists, while junior captain Tyesha McLean had 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Vike sophomore Crystal Hicks tallied game-highs with 12 boards and six steals.

In the night cap, the Vike boys fell to 4-2 on the year as they were defeated 65-46 by Richmond.

A buzzer-beater gave the Raiders a 28-26 lead at the break. By the start of the fourth quarter Richmond led 44-41. The Raiders then opened the final period with a 16-4 run, to take a commanding 60-44 edge with just under three minutes remaining in regulation. Union Pines would only score five fourth-quarter points as it suffered its first lopsided loss of the year.

Richmond was paced by a 20-point performance from point guard Brain Love. He buried four long treys on the night, while finishing with seven assists and four steals. The Raiders also got a major boost from swingman Kasheem Reid, who scored all eight of his points in the fourth quarter.

Union Pines was led by senior captain Chris Henderson, who finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. Vike senior guard Justin Brabham added 12 points, five assists and four steals.

The Vikes are now set to entertain the Overhills Jaguars Friday night in the Cape Fear Valley conference opener at Bob Ward Gymnasium in Cameron.